Renowned for its rigorous challenge, the Champion Course at PGA National has seen a myriad of impressive rounds. Among them, Tiger Woods’s final-round 62 at the 2012 Honda Classic stands out. However, the course record is held by Brian Harman, who shot an awe-inspiring 61 in the same tournament. The brilliance of Harman’s round lies not only in the score but also in the fact that he managed to outshine the previous record, set by Davis Love III, by three strokes. Despite not securing a win, Harman’s round remains etched in history as one of the finest at PGA National.
Brian Harman’s record stood unmatched for nine years, underscoring the rarity of such a performance. However, the golfing world was treated to another spectacle when young golfer Jake Knapp shattered the course record at PGA National with a staggering 59. This marked the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history and the first-ever in Florida. To put this into context, Knapp’s round would have been sufficient to secure a win or at least a tie in 17 of the last 24 Honda Classics, setting a new benchmark.
The storied history of PGA National’s Champion Course is not devoid of other remarkable moments. In the 2021 Honda Classic, Matt Jones emulated Brian Harman’s course record at PGA National with an incredible 61, made all the more impressive by the challenging windy conditions. He carded nine birdies without a single bogey, finishing three shots clear of the field. This set the stage for the rest of the tournament, in which Jones, now affiliated with LIV Golf, secured his second PGA Tour win. His consistent play, with scores of 70, 69, and 67, in the remaining three rounds saw him finish six shots ahead of the field, culminating in an impressive victory.
The record-equalling round by Jones, like Harman’s, will be remembered as one of the highlights of the tournament. These moments of excellence continue to contribute to the rich tapestry of records at PGA National’s Champion Course. We invite you to share your favorite moments from this illustrious history in the comments section below!